Less of Me

I look in the mirror and think to myself, “I wish there were less of me!” My chosen lifestyle and eating habits have created MORE of me. So many regrets!

In my journal on August 17, 1985, I chose to record this verse from the Gospel of John.
“He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30

John wasn’t talking about his body; he was writing about “self” and his deep desire for Jesus Christ to be ever increasing in him. This meant he must make room for more of Christ by removing his own desires and ways.

I love this statement by John! I can hear his heart in his words, the longing to be filled with God and His Spirit! He understood that it was necessary for self to decrease so that Christ could increase in him.

In order for Christ to increase in me, Janie must decrease! No matter how much I may long to have more of God in my life, it will not happen until I let go of me! And that, my friend, is where the line is drawn. Am I willing to relinquish my own ways so that His ways become my ways? Am I ready to lay down this life I live so as to make room in me for all of Him that I can possibly possess?

I am a very self-centered person, and I know I am not alone in this! I constantly struggle against the “it’s all about me” mentality. I battle to keep my mind on my Heavenly Father in our quiet time together! I fight to keep my attention on those around me as we talk rather than on what I want to say next.

I long to belong totally to God ~ totally surrendered ~ completely filled with Him until when people look at me, they don’t see me, they see God. If that could happen, then when there is a part of me they do see, it would be obvious that without Him I am nothing!

Singer, Larnelle Harris, wrote and sang the song “Greater Still.” He nailed it with the lyrics.

A vessel filled with only me
Is no good to You
For our heart can be
No more than what’s inside
The only thing I really need
Only You can do
So purge my heart
‘Til only You abide

I must become less so much less
That You become greater still
Lord empty me of anything
That keeps me from what’s real
For only thru my weakness
Can Your power be fulfilled
Lord I want to become so much less
That You become greater still

My Prayer:

More of You and less of me. That’s what I want in me. Oh, Abba, I long to be totally Yours and completely filled with You and Your Spirit. Please show me anything that would reside in me that is not of You, and give me the strength to deny it in exchange for more of You. ~ Amen